If this is your first visit, be sure to
check out the FAQ by clicking the
link above. You may have to register
before you can post: click the register link above to proceed. To start viewing messages,
select the forum that you want to visit from the selection below.

Towing in Overdrive

When pulling heavy loads, do most of you just keep it in 6th or drop it down to 5th?

With my truck, I've noticed that towing my 9,000# camper seems to work a little better in 5th versus 6th gear. The transmission doesn't constantly down and up-shift on hills and the engine feels like it's not working as hard. Running 70mph, still only turning about 2,300 rpm. Fuel mileage between towing and 5th versus 6th seems about the same.

Towing our 16K GVWR 5th wheel, as a general rule I engage Tow/Haul and let the computer decide. If we're in rolling hills or some other terrain where the transmission starts hunting constantly between 5th and 6th, I'd downshift it to 5th, but otherwise I let the computers run the truck. Bear in mind that my truck has 4. 10 gears, so 6th is more useable for towing than 3. 73s or 3. 42s might be.

I tow trailers that are in the 19000 to 21000 lb. range. I put it in Tow/Haul, turn on the exhaust brake, get up to cruising speed, set the cruise and enjoy the ride. For the most part the truck does things very well. I like to stay below the 2000 RPM as much as possible for cruising.

I have an 11. 5K, 5er that I pull with the truck in my signature below. This is a 4X4 with 3:73 gears with the 6 sped auto; also your tire size will also determine what RPM your engine is turning. I am running the stock size tires that came with the truck, LT265/70R/17E. I do engage the Tow/Haul mode and let the computer determine the shift points most of the time. When I am towing on the highway on flat land I will tow in 6th gear doing around 1600 RPMs' between 60 to 65 MPH.

I will drop to 5th gear in the mountains but this is because I am trying to keep the egt's under 1000F when towing up hill. I will stay in that gear going downhill also since it is not wise to up-shift or down-shift when going downhill with a load. Another thing that I do is lock out 5 and 6 gear in town when the speed limit is under 45 MPH trying to keep the RPM's between the 1,400 and 1,900 range.

I'm still freaked out from the old days when I had a 1990 Ford Ranger and toasted the auto tranny by towing a U-haul in overdrive across the country. Ever since then, I've always been careful not to tow in overdrive. Of course our 68RFE is a whole different animal so it doesn't look like I need to be as careful.

With my 3. 73 gears and stock tires, probably best to tow in 5th on hilly terrain to minimize gear hunting and EGT, and just leave it alone on the flats.

With the travel trailer you have listed in your signature, I doubt you will have any problem towing in 6th. It the transmission hunts, take it down a gear, if it doesn't, run with it. My 08 had 3. 73's in it, and it would pull my 40' 5ver with out any issues.

If you're not in trouble or causing trouble, you're not having any fun, and I'm having a blast! How about you?

On anything more than a small to moderate grade, I start getting a little gear hunting. Gear hunting is much more evident when I'm using cruise. If I turn cruise off (normally tow about 67-70 on freeway) and go easy on the foot, I can keep it from downshifting without losing much speed.

Cruise in hilly terrain seems to work the engine and tranny a little more. I'm sure when it's trying to take a long grade in 6th with the cruise on, the EGTs soar.

I have 15K 5th wheel. . I have the stock diameter but 19. 5" rims. . (225/70 R-19. 5") . . 14 ply "G". . the trailer has BF Goodrich Commercial T/A 16" "E" tires. this combo has reduced some of the drag with my unit. . The transmission likes to hunt when going up even a moderate hill. . I drop to 5th and use tow/Haul. . the TH mode reduces the chance for a downshift based on your throttle position. . In other words, you can push more. . this is true as well in 6th gear. . I try to pre-empt the shift by manually clicking down at 1600 rpm or so. . This puts the engine at a better RPM to pull the hill. . . When going downhill, I turn off The TH mode as it will try to downshift and slow down. Hope this helps.

I'm pretty new to all of this. I thought the tow/haul mode automatically kicked out the overdrive 5th and 6th gear? Usually I put it in tow/haul and put on the brake system and drive. Is there a better way?? I'm pulling a 40' 5er that's 11,900 dry. It seems to be okay so far.

Always have EB and TH on at all times. I tow my 27,000# combined in 6th on flat to small hills at 60 mph. When I get into 5 to 10 mph head winds I will hit 5th and on small hills. I use cruise set at 60 and manually adjust as needed before the computer can decide what to do, it keeps me doing something while driving and I do get better mileage that way. 3:42 gears.